A few days back, Saddy and I went for lunch after a long time. I remember as were waiting for food to come, Saddy and I started talking about fairytales. I remember reading fairytales as I was growing up. Then in fifth grade I watched ‘the Little Mermaid” cartoon movie by Disney. Needless to say, I was fascinated by the story. Love triumphed against all odds. But it wasn’t love that fascinated me, it was Ariel’s courage and faith that what she was trying for, was worth the effort and sacrifice. Her being an adorable mermaid with long red hair and an enchanting voice helped my fascination as well. In very simple words, I wanted to be the little mermaid.

Then I was in first year when I got to watch Mulan. This cartoon movie was more realistic and therefore made more of an impact. What I liked most was the idea that a girl could rise above the norms of a society and use her brains and intellect to her advantage. Mulan of course gets the handsome hunk in the end as well. So yet another happy ending that fascinated me.

These two are the fairytales that captivated me the most. These were the stories that made the foundations for my dreams. Faith, Commitment, Devotion, and the Inner goodness were what I strived for. I believed that if I stuck to these principles, I will find the realization of dreams. I believed that these would bring me my happiness.

But I realize now that these fairytales only made me an educated fool. Too much television and a lot of unrealistic books made me chase dreams. And I would have continued chasing dreams had I not found out that Hans Anderson Christianson’s little mermaid never earns appreciation from the love of her life & dies in the end.

Reality is so much easier to cope with than disfigured fairytales.